<br />
Designed for casual mountain bikers who enjoy gentle <a href="http://www.bicycling.com/adventure-guide/featured-adventures/santa-fe-bl... and multi-use paths, the Nevada put riders in a comfortable upright position. With lots of standover and a short cockpit, it could also make a rugged commuter. That tight geometry, however, meant the Nevada wasn&rsquo;t well suited to rough trails, where it felt shaky and accelerated slowly. The narrow tires and SR Suntour suspension fork worked best on maintained trails and paved roads. <br />
<strong><br />
Price:</strong> $1,180 <br />
<strong>Weight:</strong> 29.0 lb. (S/M) <br />
<strong>Info:</strong> <a href="http://www.fujibikes.com">fujibikes.com</a>

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With a stout frame and aggressive geometry, the Trailhead was one of the most capable bikes in the category and encouraged us to take challenging lines. &ldquo;The bike felt like it was up for anything,&rdquo; said one tester. We wished it had a 10-speed <a href="http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbikecom/bikes-gear/sram-xx1-1x11-mounta..., but the components were high quality for this price point. Unlike the class-leading Kona, the Rocky&rsquo;s straight head tube could limit your options for future fork upgrades. <br />
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<strong>Price:</strong> $1,200 <br />
<strong>Weight:</strong> 29.1 lb. (18 in.) <br />
<strong>Info:</strong> <a href="http://www.bikes.com">bikes.com</a>

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Built for all-out speed, the Scale was the lightest bike in this category. With a long top tube, rigid frame, and a collection of race-inspired parts, it would be perfect for budding <a href="http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbikecom/featured-stories/photos-mont-sa... racers. The unyielding frame transferred power quickly to the wheels, but did little to mute trail chatter. One tester noted, &ldquo;It was harsh, but felt better the faster you rode.&rdquo; <br />
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<strong>Price:</strong> $1,200 <br />
<strong>Weight:</strong> 27.0 lb. (M) <br />
<strong>Info:</strong> <a href="http://www.scott-sports.com">scott-sports.com</a>

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